Are you ready to rumble (for charity)?
OlyCLAW, our own local chapter of the Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLAW), are back with a vengeance and are making their much anticipated return to the stage this summer.
The ladies of OlyCLAW have been competing against one another in competitive arm wrestling since 2014 with all proceeds benefitting local charities. If you have been lucky enough to catch any of the first four spectacular spectacles you will be happy to hear some of your favorite characters are back along with some new combatants, live music and some surprise guests.
Returning to the ring are Marie Armtoinette, Erin Ole’, Stone Cold Stevie Nicks and of course founder Maureen Maples a.k.a Bambi Spicebush Goes to College. Making their debut are Jacked Jane Dough, Amelia de Los Muertos and Stonewall’s own local representative PRID-A-ZON.
Joining the ladies of OlyCLAW in their charitable battle will be Bananas Foster and Riveting Rosey from Rock Candy Burlesque all fighting the good fight to the live sounds provided by local rock group C-Average.
The Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers was founded in 2008 in Charlottesville, Virginia by Jennifer Hoyt Tidwell and Jodie Plaisance quite unintentionally. The two friends decided to arm wrestle one day while at a local pub. Jennifer won handily, Jodie in turn demanded a rematch, and the epic smack-talk began. From this friendly competition between friends were born the alter egos of Prim Reaper (Tidwell) and MoJo the Underdog (Plaisance).
Prior to the formation of the league Tidwell had already produced two collaborative arts festivals. Recognizing the potential for a fantasy arm wrestling league to do some good, CLAW took flight. Since its inaugural match eight years ago the CLAW movement has soared from the east to the west and back again weaving a nest of inspiration in the minds of strong women all across the country who have a heart charity and a flare for the dramatic. A CLAW match is a splendid blend of true competitive arm wrestling, mixed with a dash of burlesque, sprinkled with live music and saturated with vintage WWF showmanship worthy of Randy Savage himself.
Our own local chapter was started by grad student Maureen P. Maples in 2014 after she saw a snippet of a match online. “After I saw it I had to buy the DVD and check it out,” said Maples and not long after, OlyCLAW was born.
Strong women, theatrics and charity all seemed like very Olympia ideas and together with founding members Justine and Megan Grugett, Stephanie Browning (Marie Armtionette), Katie Meyer (Ellie Slay Clampit), John Manini and many more, the ladies of OlyCLAW have raised over $8,500 for a variety of causes in Thurston County.
Maples and the gang are confident that with the additions of C-Average, guest stars from Rock Candy Burlesque, a much larger venue and a revamped production team they will reach their goal of $5,000 for both Stonewall Youth and Pride. “OlyCLAW has provided the community an opportunity to come together and pool resources in an entertaining and novel way,” Maples said. “I believe our growth reflects a community that values the work of organizations we support and loves being a part of our collective success.”
With each event the crowd grows and the donations almost double with no signs of slowing down. OlyCLAW #5 kicks off at Rhythm & Rye on June 25 at 8:00 p.m. with all proceeds going to Stonewall Youth.
The combatants of OlyCLAW are not alone in their quest to do good. Behind them are local businesses like Le Voyeur, Rhythm & Rye, Big Tom’s, Olympia Tattoo Co. and more. Local artists like Dustin Seward, Stacie Jascott and others donate their time to making decorations, posters and flyers for all of the events but the ensembles are all on the wrestlers themselves.
These awesome gals are responsible for their own costume, wigs, makeup and entourage all out of their own pockets. Browning is a student, medical records clerk, wife and mother of two daughters yet doesn’t hesitate to give her time and money. “It is so worth it to provide a good example of what strong means to my girls,” she says. They practice, plan, decorate and promote the events all with a common goal to do for others and embody the giving spirit here in Thurston County.
If you want to see a great show put on by some great people for a great cause come see the ladies of OlyCLAW battle for supremacy. More event information can be found on the OlyCLAW Facebook page.
